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'Brownie' sets tone for Hornets

Playing baseball for Bryant High School was a lifelong dream of Tyler Brown.
Now the 18-year-old son of Brad and Shelley Brown is making a name for himself on the diamond as the starting second baseman for the Hornets.
As the second batter in the Hornets' lineup, Brown, a senior, has a .421 batting average on the season, as well as 17 RBIs and five doubles.
Head coach Kirk Bock described Brown as a "great leader."
"Tyler Brown has a great mindset for our program," Bock said. "He is an extremely hard worker and is a great teammate. He works extremely hard to not only improve himself, but also his teammates."
Brown said he began playing baseball at the age of 5 when his parents signed him up for a team. Although he isn't sure about his future plans post-graduation, Brown would like to play college ball.
Considering his least favorite aspect of playing high school baseball is the "speed of the game," the next level could be a better fit for Brown.
In fact, he said playing for Bock is "crazy" and imagines "it's like playing for a college coach."
Coincidentally, Bock said it's Brown who helps set the team's tone.
Bock said, "Tyler is a take-charge person, who is a great leader. I enjoy coming to work and seeing 'Brownie' because of his up-beat attitude.
"He sets a great tone for the day."
Brown, who said his favorite subject is English, described his teammates as "good guys that got my back," and his favorite part of playing for the Hornets has been the "friendships I've built and the life lessons I've learned."
Watching his former teammate Ben Wells, who signed last year with the Chicago Cubs, pitch a perfect game in the 2010 7A State Championship is Brown's favorite baseball memory.
Brown said his favorite team is the New York Yankees, and his hero is his father "because he works hard every day to provide for our family," which includes his 15-year-old sister, Alex.
"I want to thank my current and former coaches for helping me become the best baseball player I can be," he said, "and also my family for dragging me around Arkansas playing baseball all these years."